Gil Scott Heron

#4WindsBlow

It is a strange old world and and no mistake but MUSIC unifies the

‘4 winds‘:

Heart, Soul, Body and mind and NEVER fails to deliver.

Looking back over almost a CENTURY of (predominantly), urbane musicology has taught me that.

From the earliest days of New Orleans barrel house right up to the street sounds of London, (where i was born and raised), I have listened, reflected, absorbed and learned more from the universal language than from any other source of human narrative.

Nubag #3 (a year in the life)

It’s Your World – Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson

First outing (this year) on themusicologist for a GIANT of the arts and true ‘authentic human being’ the majestic, imperious, Gil Scott Heron, (this cut features Brian Jackson), who ALWAYS told it like it is/was and will be unless ‘we’ connect, communicate, collaborate and MOBILISE to build a nu world.

the power of the networked society is in connecting to (re)build a society that serves us rather than enslaves us.

KNOWLEDGE is FREELY accessible yet current society is being engineered for us to consume (mis)information and infotainment.

In the information age it is critical that we take control of the networked communication channel otherwise it will continue to take control of US.

Like this:

i.believe.i’ll.make.a.change

Gil Scott Heron – Delta Man

Next tune from the urbanpoet laureate, the mercurial Gil Scott Heron, the undisputed master of urbanemusicology. For me the man is up there with the great poets and troubadours. Authentic, deep, meaningful.

Like this:

Somewhat of a dilemma over today’s slice..1 artist 2 majestic covers..what one to lay down? Donny’s version of Ray Charles’s ‘I Believe To My Soul’ or John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’ ?? hmmm I think it’s going to be ‘Jealous Guy’. Nothing to choose between them as I said…both top of the ‘covers tree’ but something about this one that resonates stronger with me than ‘I Believe’. Am I a ‘Jealous Guy’…not neccesarily but I know I have been. Is it jealous or insecure? it’s a thin line indeed. Insecure…for sure so in true dialogue style hold this one from Donny’s Live set. Before I finish I just want to add how much I feel the man’s authenticity come through in his music…genuine dialogue between a man and his inner being I believe.

Others of note are Marvin Gaye, of course master John Coltrane, Gil Scott Heron, Terry Callier, Curtis Mayfield, Paul Weller, Dinah washington, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday…there are others I could add but those are the ones who come immediately to mind without thinking long and hard. Recorded live, (1972), at the Bitter End and featuring Cornell Dupree, Mike Howard, Willie Weeks, Fred White and Earl DeRouen

“Four vital functions as basic as the four elements: Sexuality, sociality, ideation and glory. Or: pleasure, speech, thought and prestige.
Being deprived of any of the four leads to stupor and death.”

Final piece of the Fragments selection..could have gone on for a while longer but new inspiration is knocking on themusicologist’s door so tomorrow I’m rolling out a new theme…just like to finish the ‘Fragments’ by paying a final tribute to Baudrillard for delivering such profound insights into the age of banality that we find ourselves inhabiting..for me the Cat penetrates some dark corners with illuminating observations.

What better way to wind up this session than with a combination of Marvin Gaye and Gil Scott Heron..I’ll say no more and just leave it up to the two of them to lay it on you.